Easton Economic Development Corporation (EEDC): According to your website, “The Arc’s mission is to serve children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Anne Arundel County and the Eastern Shore by creating opportunities for people with disabilities to live, work, and play where and how they choose.” What would you add to that?

Jonathon Rondeau (JR): It’s also important to note that each Arc in Maryland is separately run and incorporated. So, for the last 17 years, The Arc Central Chesapeake Region has been providing services mainly in the Mid Shore region. Since 2018, we have expanded the number of people we serve by 82%. So, part of our strategy now is how to have a greater physical presence as well.

EEDC: And how are you doing that?

JR: We have had a presence in Easton for the last 17 years and are committed to continuing that. Over the last year and a half, we’ve been exploring locations to develop an Eastern Shore headquarters in Easton. Late spring of this year, we identified a lot on Port Street within the Port Street Redevelopment Plan, and we’ve purchased that property. It’s our vision that this would not only be our Eastern Shore headquarters but also create a community hub, which is where people with disabilities and their families could get resources, participate in support groups, that sort of thing. We’re also creating a mixed-use model where there would be eight affordable housing units. The Arc has a housing subsidiary called Chesapeake Neighbors that will be managing these units.

EEDC: How interesting. How far along are you with the housing plan?

JR: We are in the concept phase of that, which will be done in the next couple of weeks. And then, we will be going out to key community members to get people’s input. Our ultimate goal is to break ground and start construction sometime in 2023.

EEDC: How will The Arc be soliciting the community’s response?

JR: This fall, we will have some listening sessions to share our plans with the community and get their feedback. We haven’t scheduled those dates yet, but they’ll be more than one opportunity to give their opinion.

EEDC: How can people find out when these will be?

JR: People can reach out if they’re interested in participating in one of those sessions by emailing me at:  jrondeau@thearcccr.org

EEDC: So, what attracted you to the Port Street Redevelopment area?

JR: The property we purchased is right on the Rails-to-Trails that’s being developed. Initially, we were looking and wanted to be downtown. And so this location has the beauty and the flexibility of not only the Easton Parkway because our services are multi-jurisdictional, but also the fact that you can easily walk from this location downtown. It’s sort of the best of both worlds.

I also think that it’s huge that, while the Port Street Redevelopment plan has been in development for many years, our research shows that a lot of developers are also looking at that location. So it seems to be the right location and right time for us to be doing the same.

EEDC: How large is this new headquarter going to be?

JR: It will be about 24,000 square feet, which includes the eight affordable housing units.

EEDC: How many people are currently employed at The Arc?

JR: The Arc as a whole organization has about 400 employees, and we have 30 employees that work directly on the Eastern Shore.

EEDC: What about you, Jonathon? Are you from the area?

JR: I’ve lived in Maryland since 2003 and currently live in Baltimore County. I’ve been with The Arc for a little over four years.

For more information about EEDC, visit https://eastonedc.com/

The Arc Central Chesapeake Region (The Arc) is hosting an Open House for our downtown Easton Regional Office & Community Hub on Wednesday, October 20, 2021, from 4-6:00PM at 18 N. Hanson Street, Easton, MD 21601. Community members will have the opportunity to meet organizational leadership, learn more about our programs and services, and hear about our future plans in Easton.

“We are happy to offer a place where people we support and their families can attend educational opportunities, host support groups, and receive family navigation services all within easy walking distance of downtown’s amenities and services,” said Jonathon Rondeau, President & CEO, The Arc. “In addition to our current programs, it is our intention to collaborate in this space with like-minded organizations whose missions align to our focus on equity and access for people with disabilities.”

The Arc currently supports over 50 people on the Eastern Shore with an array of services supporting children and adults with disabilities. Representatives of these programs and organizational leadership will be on hand to discuss plans for the expansion of these services in the Mid-Shore region. Families are welcome to attend; accessible parking is available on site.

About The Arc Central Chesapeake Region
The Arc Central Chesapeake Region provides services and supports to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through living options, workforce development, and fiscal management services. Serving Anne Arundel County and the Eastern Shore of Maryland, The Arc provides an innovative, person-directed approach across the arc of a person’s life with a focus on equity and self-determination. www.thearcccr.org

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SEVERN, MD, (October 12, 2021) – The Daily Record has named Jonathon Rondeau, President & CEO of The Arc Central Chesapeake Region (The Arc), one of Maryland’s 2021 Most Admired CEOs.

The Daily Record created the Most Admired CEOs awards program to recognize talented business CEOs and nonprofit executive directors throughout Maryland whose leadership and vision are admired by those around them. The winners were selected by an outside panel of judges based on professional accomplishments, community service and letters of reference submitted by co-workers, board members and community leaders showcasing the CEO’s leadership and vision.

Jonathon joined The Arc in 2017 and has overseen the expansion of its mission, creating greater access and opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Anne Arundel County and Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

“We are humbled and proud of Jonathon for receiving this award,” said Laura Austin, chair of the board of directors for The Arc. “His passion for creating a better, more inclusive community for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities is one of the many attributes that make him a fantastic leader.”

“This year’s Most Admired CEOs display leadership and vision that is admired by those around them. These individuals were selected for the honor for several reasons, including letters of reference from those with whom they work each day and from staff from nonprofits where they donate their time and talent,” said Suzanne Fischer-Huettner, senior group publisher of The Daily Record. “They demonstrate innovation, a clarity of vision and a selfless approach to building teams, which makes them admired by many. We at The Daily Record congratulate them for their achievements.”

The winners will be honored on Tuesday, Nov. 2, at noon at an online celebration. Each of the honorees will be celebrated for their achievements through video storytelling. Guests will have the opportunity to participate in the program with their congratulations and cheers using social media platforms from their homes or offices.

For a complete list of winners, visit https://thedailyrecord.com/most_admired_ceos/winners/.

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About The Arc Central Chesapeake Region
The Arc Central Chesapeake Region provides services and supports to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through living options, workforce development, and fiscal management services. Serving Anne Arundel County and the Eastern Shore of Maryland, The Arc utilizes an innovative, person-directed approach across the arc of a person’s life with a focus on equity and self-determination. Visit www.thearcccr.org to learn more.

About The Daily Record
Celebrating 133 years of journalistic excellence, The Daily Record is a multimedia news source that publishes a print and online edition five days a week and breaks news daily on its website, TheDailyRecord.com. In addition, The Daily Record publishes more than 30 special products a year including Women Who Lead, Doing Business in Maryland, Way to Be and Expanding Opportunities. The Daily Record also honors leading Marylanders through nine annual awards events including Maryland’s Top 100 Women, Influential Marylanders, and Most Admired CEOs. Its Digital Marketing Solutions helps customers with social media, search engine marketing and optimization, retargeting, email marketing, and more. The Daily Record is part of BridgeTower Media, one of the country’s leading business-to-business media companies with more than 40 print and digital publications in more than 25 U.S. markets.

SEVERN, MD, (September 28, 2021) – Chesapeake Neighbors, an Arc Central Chesapeake Region company committed to providing safe, accessible, and affordable housing in Maryland, and Board Chair Laura Carr, are pleased to welcome Judi Olinger as Executive Director, effective October 4, and Andrew Masters to its board of directors.

“We are excited to welcome Judi and Andy to our team,” said Jonathon Rondeau, President & CEO of The Arc Central Chesapeake Region. “Judi and Andy possess a wealth of knowledge and experience that will be essential in furthering the mission of Chesapeake Neighbors to expand and strengthen the availability of affordable housing for people who would otherwise not have access or options in communities where they choose to live.”

Judi Olinger possesses over 30 years of experience in human services, housing development, property management, and operational oversight of a wide array of multi-million-dollar programs committed to supporting the needs of people with disabilities. She founded and served as president of iHomes, Inc., a development and management company for affordable housing.

Judi also served as the vice president of Humanim, Inc., overseeing various programs, including disability services and corporate compliance. She currently serves as the president of the board of directors for Columbia Housing Corporation and is also a member of the Maryland Housing Inclusive Howard County Advisory Board.

“I am grateful for this opportunity to lead Chesapeake Neighbors,” said Judi Olinger. “People with intellectual and developmental disabilities deserve the same access to quality, affordable housing as anyone else, and we will continue to expand the care and mission of the organization.”

Judi earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Salisbury University. She also received an advanced certificate in the financing of affordable housing from the University of Maryland, College Park, and is a graduate of Leadership Maryland.

Andy Masters possesses over a decade of experience in education, public health, and strategic planning in Baltimore City schools and nonprofits. Recently, he was named the Executive Director of Columbia Housing Center, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting racial and ethnic integration and diversity in Columbia, Maryland, through housing advisory services and educational programming.

Prior to that, Andy was the Strategic Partnerships Manager at Enterprise Community Partners, a nonprofit that brings together cross-sector data, community engagement, partnership, and evaluation tools for communities across the country. He also led the launch and implementation of a bold cross-sector Youth Health and Wellness Strategy out of the Baltimore City Health Department.

“I am excited and thrilled to join the Chesapeake Neighbors board of directors,” said Andy. “Creating stronger communities is a passion of mine that aligns perfectly with Chesapeake Neighbors’ core mission of providing access to safe, affordable, accessible housing.”

Andy holds a bachelor’s degree in human development and family studies and a master’s degree in counselor education from The Pennsylvania State University. He lives in the Columbia, Maryland area and has two children.

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About Chesapeake Neighbors
Chesapeake Neighbors was founded in 2007 by The Arc Central Chesapeake Region to provide, promote and support safe, affordable, and accessible housing for people and families in need. What started with one house in Anne Arundel County has grown to over 50 owned and managed, affordable, accessible single and multifamily units across Anne Arundel County and the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Learn more at https://chesapeakeneighbors.org/.

SEVERN, MD (September 15, 2021) – The Arc Central Chesapeake Region (The Arc) announces the launch of Project Learn, a new initiative funded by the Developmental Disabilities Council of Maryland that will focus on supporting parents and the students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to understand the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process and become strong self-advocates.

The project, in partnership with Education Team Allies, is made possible by a grant from the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council.

Additionally, this program will assist families in developing a plan for their child as it pertains to their further education, employment, and independent living.

“We are proud to partner with Education Team Allies and thankful for funding support from the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council to make this happen,” said Jonathon Rondeau, President & CEO of The Arc. “Each student has unique educational needs, and Project Learn aims to provide students with plans and tools for their continued success.”

Project Learn consists of three components designed to ensure that parents and their children are involved in the process together, creating a plan that is best suited to their needs. These components include:

• Family Consultations
• Leadership Academy
• Resource Materials

“Parents and students face a myriad of decisions when faced with the IEP process,” said Beth Nolan, Co-Founder & Principal of Education Team Allies. “Our outreach has indicated that they need resources that are free, easily accessible, individualized, and specific to their school systems to support them in making these important decisions in relation to the impact it will have on the student’s life after high school.”

Project Learn is open to families and students with IDD who attend public school and reside in the following Maryland counties: Anne Arundel, Talbot, Queen Anne’s, Caroline, and Dorchester.

Enrollment for Project Learn Family Consultations is currently open. To apply, fill out the form here.

Applications for the Project Learn Leadership Academy will open for students in late October 2021. Project Learn Resource Materials are county-specific and will be available online beginning in spring 2022.

For information about Project Learn, please contact Deena Kilmon, Director of Engagement, at resources@thearcccr.org or 410.353.1137 or visit www.thearcccr.org/projectlearn/.

About The Arc Central Chesapeake Region
The Arc Central Chesapeake Region provides services and supports to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through living options, workforce development, and fiscal management services. Serving Anne Arundel County and the Eastern Shore of Maryland, The Arc provides an innovative, person-directed approach across the arc of a person’s life with a focus on equity and self-determination. www.thearcccr.org

About Education Team Allies
Education Team Allies was founded in 2019 to help parents navigate the special education system. They assist families in developing an IEP or 504 for their child that includes a meaningful vision as it pertains to further education, employment, and independent living in addition to advocating for and fostering a culture of inclusion for all. Visit https://educationteamallies.com/ to learn more.

 

The Arc Central Chesapeake Region is awarded a $50,000 Community Support Grant designated to provide in-home services for families with children with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Anne Arundel County.

SEVERN, MD (August 26, 2021) – The Arc Central Chesapeake Region (The Arc) has recently received a $50,000 Community Support Grant designated to provide in-home services for families with children with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Anne Arundel County.

In June of 2021, Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman announced this year’s Community Support Grant Program awards, totaling $1,863,000 in funding. The grants will go to 52 nonprofit organizations for the Fiscal Year 2022, with the funds coming from Anne Arundel County through the County Executive’s Community Support Grant, facilitated by Arundel Community Development Services (ACDS).

This year, nonprofit organizations receiving Community Support Grants met a COVID-19 safety net need and/or suffered from a COVID-19-related loss of income or revenue. Awards were prioritized to organizations that were also facilitating the furtherance of the County’s key human service priorities, including providing services to underserved populations, addressing the health and well-being of communities, and/or promoting equity and inclusion.

“We are thrilled to receive a Community Support Grant. This funding will provide support to families who need childcare so that they can work while their child receives virtual services, recover from COVID-19, complete basic tasks they can’t complete with their child, or even take a mental health break,” said Jonathon Rondeau, President& CEO of The Arc. “The Arc thanks Anne Arundel County and Arundel Community Development Services for recognizing this need, and for their support of our programs through the County Executives Community Support Grant.

Research conducted by various sources in the US and abroad shows that families with children with disabilities have been especially overwhelmed throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Funds from this grant will go towards helping families in Anne Arundel County with children with disabilities or special medical needs that have been adversely affected by COVID-19. Each family that qualifies is eligible for up to $500 of in-home support.

To qualify for a Family In-House Supports Grant from The Arc, the family must have a child with an intellectual or developmental disability under the age of 21, reside in Anne Arundel County, and complete and submit an online application located on their website.

“We cannot emphasize enough the added mental, emotional, physical, and financial stress families with children with disabilities are experiencing because of the pandemic,” said Rondeau. “Whether it be to a loss in income or the loss of a loved one, these funds will make a positive difference for these families.”

The Arc will launch its program to distribute these funds on a first-come, first-serve basis beginning Tuesday, August 31, 2021. Families who received the funding in 2020 are encouraged to apply but will be waitlisted and administered funding after all new applications are processed.

For more information, visit www.thearcccr.org/familysupportsgrant or email familysupportsgrant@thearcccr.org.

“You Are the Help Until Help Arrives”

During life-threatening events, did you know that research shows that people with disabilities are two to four times more likely to perish or sustain severe injuries? But we can help change that!

Crisis Response Training Session Registration Training sessions are intended to help volunteers learn simple strategies for supporting people with disabilities, and other vulnerable populations, in the event of a crisis. These training sessions will be provided by Talbot County Department of Emergency Services (DES) as a part of The Arc’s “September 11: Remembering Those Lost” project led by The Arc Central Chesapeake Region. The project is funded through The Arc US through a sub-grant from Ameri-Corps, a federal agency that engages millions of Americans in service and leads the nation’s volunteer efforts.

Sign up for our virtual training on Friday, September 10, 2021, here: https://bit.ly/3iGO99E

The Arc Central Chesapeake Region (The Arc), a nonprofit committed to transforming lives for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), and Laura Austin, Board Chair, are pleased to welcome NaToya Mitchell to its Board of Directors.

NaToya possesses over 20 years of experience in nonprofit, private, and government professional organizations that will be a welcome addition to The Arc’s current advocacy efforts to increase access and opportunity for people with IDD.

“The Arc is excited to welcome NaToya to its Board. NaToya is an accomplished and dedicated individual who brings tremendous value to our organization,” said Jonathon Rondeau, President & CEO, The Arc. “Her wealth of knowledge and experience with advocacy, self-direction, and leadership will be instrumental to The Arc and overall, to those we support.”

Committed to delivering effective and equitable care for all, NaToya is currently an executive appointee to both the Anne Arundel County Adult Public Guardianship Review Board and the Anne Arundel County Commission on Disability Issues, as well as a current member of the Washington, DC Regional Planning Commission on Health & HIV. As a former administrator for the Maryland Department of Health, she led the Developmental Disabilities Administration delivery model for people self-directing home and community-based supports.

“I am grateful for the opportunity and eager to join The Arc,” said NaToya. “I look forward to working with members of the Board to increase equity, inclusion, and access to opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities within their communities and beyond.”

Reflective of her dedication and commitment, NaToya is the 2021 Arc Maryland Honoree of the Outstanding Advocate of the Year Award, which recognizes and honors advocacy leadership on behalf of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, including systemic change, legal advocacy, and professional endeavors that increase the rights of person with intellectual and developmental disabilities to have inclusive lives.

NaToya Mitchell earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Master of Arts in International Studies with a concentration in International Relations from Morgan State University. She is currently pursuing a doctorate degree in public health from Morgan State University.

The Arc Central Chesapeake Region (The Arc) hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the completion of renovations to their Annapolis Regional Office and Community Hub at 931 Spa Rd. Annapolis, MD. The Arc also unveiled The Ferrier Family Community Room, named after the late Brad Ferrier and Linda Carter-Ferrier.

“Anchored in the Annapolis Art’s District, this reimagined Annapolis Regional Office is more than a collection of offices. It will be a true Community Hub—a place where people we support and their families can access resources, host support groups, receive family navigation services, and make connections easily,” said Jonathon Rondeau, President & CEO, The Arc.

He added that the reopening affirms The Arc’s commitment to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the community. “We are excited to deepen our relationships with great local businesses, residents interested in our work, and other organizations whose missions align to our focus on equity and access for people with disabilities,” said Rondeau. The unique 3,900 square feet of accessible space includes upgraded offices, inviting meeting space, and upgraded parklike grounds.

The extensive renovations were revealed during a ribbon-cutting and tour on June 24. Speakers included Jonathon Rondeau, Arc President & CEO; Raj Kudchadkar, Executive Director at the National Coalition of Minority Football Coaches and Board Member of The Arc, Gavin Buckley, Mayor of Annapolis and Steuart Pittman, Anne Arundel County Executive.

Pictured: Front Row (left to right): Anne Arundel County Councilmember Lisa D. B. Rodvien, District 6; Maryland State Delegate Dana Jones, District 30A; Anne Arundel County Councilmember Allison Pickard, District 2; RJ Ferrier (In Services, Ferriers Son); MiKenna Tressler (In Services); Jonathon Rondeau, President & CEO The Arc; Maryland State Delegate Shaneka T. Henson, Esq.; Legislative Assistant at Maryland House of Delegates, Aysia Rodriguez

On June 17, 2021, The Arc Central Chesapeake Region (The Arc), a nonprofit committed to transforming lives for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and Laura Austin, Board Chair, welcomed Carolina Seldes, founder and CEO of ITnova, an IT and Engineering consulting company that supports Maryland State and the Federal government, to its Board of Directors.

Carolina has over 20 years of experience working with the government sector, including education, aerospace, defense, and transportation agencies. In 2010, Carolina immigrated to the United States from Colombia, with extensive skills in electronic engineering and information technology. In 2011, Carolina founded ITnova after winning a business plan competition sponsored by Anne Arundel Community College where she was taking English and business courses.

“The Arc is excited to welcome Carolina to its Board. Carolina is an inspiring and energetic innovator and entrepreneur,” said Jonathon Rondeau, President & CEO, The Arc. “But more than that, as the mother of a child with a disability, a member of the Hispanic community, and the CEO of a minority and woman-owned business, Carolina knows first-hand how vital it is for us to create diverse, equitable, and inclusive opportunities for all people.”

As ITnova’s CEO, Carolina oversees the company’s overall performance and strategy. Under her leadership, ITnova has built an extensive array of services for its clients and is a certified Minority Business Enterprise in several states including Maryland, New York, Philadelphia, Port of Authority of New York, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, Orlando County, Baltimore City, among others.

“I am very trilled to join The Arc and I am grateful about the opportunity,” said Carolina. “I am looking forward to work towards inclusion of people with disabilities in the workplace, the school system, and the community.

Carolina lives in Severna Park, and loves to mountain bike, in addition to spending time with her family.